Spirit Squad - UW Dance Team General Information
General Information
On Wisconsin!
The University of Wisconsin Dance Team performs at Badger football and basketball games. The team attends every home football and men's basketball game. There are also opportunities to travel to Bowl games and post-season men’s basketball games. The UW Dance Team also represents Wisconsin by attending many Public Relation events. These events include various athletic-related and university functions, community events, parades, pep rallies, and other events.
Members of the University of Wisconsin Dance Team are members of the UW Athletic Department. Like other athletes of this university, we abide by the rules set by the Big Ten and NCAA. We encourage your involvement in other activities; however, we ask that your commitment to your squad and sport come before any other extracurricular activities (i.e. sororities, jobs, clubs and organizations). Please keep these in mind when trying out for the squad.
Time Commitment
The Dance Team season runs from approximately the first week in August through the conclusion of the basketball season in March. There may be mandatory practices, games, and PR events scheduled while school is not in session. This means that you must be available for Thanksgiving, Winter & Spring Break.
Practice
During the school year, the team practices approximately three nights per week for three hours each. Typically practices are Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, along with Friday afternoon practices before each home football game. In addition to practice the team also lifts two days per week for approximately one hour. In the summer, the team typically has one practice weekend in June and comes back in late July/early August for two-a-day practices to prepare for UDA College Camp and the football season.
Football Games
The team prepares for the football season during summer practices, while the football season runs from late August through November, with the possibility of a Bowl Game during Winter Break. Each member proudly supports the Badgers in the Camp Randall Stadium every game day. Starting off each game day with performances around Camp Randall and Badger Bash at Union South with the UW Marching Band and ending with the traditional 5th Quarter and "Varsity". The time commitment for a football game day is approximately six hours.
Basketball Games
While the football season winds down, the basketball season starts up. The Badger basketball team plays from November through March. The Dance Team performs many crowd pleasing timeout and half time routines throughout the season. The most popular being routines with members of the UW football team, with Bucky Badger, a halftime routine with the cheerleaders and Bucky, plus the team's Jazz and Pom Nationals routines. Basketball games can be any day of the week and the team is there for approximately four hours.
PR Events
A variety of PR events are scheduled year round. Some events are voluntary while others are mandatory. These events often include spreading the Badger spirit at parades, pep rallies, and various University functions. During Homecoming week, with Badger spirit at its best, there are approximately 3-5 mandatory events.
Nationals
Each year the UW Dance Team has the opportunity to compete at the UDA College Dance Team National Championship in January at Walt Disney World. The Dance Team puts in extra practice time to prepare for Nationals throughout the fall months and during Winter Break.
UDA College Dance Team National Championship placings:
- 2020 - 14th Jazz, 12th Pom
- 2019 - 15th Jazz, 6th Pom
- 2018 - 10th Jazz, 10th Pom
- 2017 - 11th Jazz, 10th Pom
- 2016 - 9th Jazz
- 2015 - 11th Jazz, 7th Pom
- 2014 - 10th Jazz
- 2013 - 7th Jazz, 9th Pom
- 2012 - 9th Jazz
- 2011 - 7th Jazz, 11th Hip Hop
- 2010 - 9th Hip Hop
- 2009 - 5th Jazz, 4th Hip Hop
- 2008 - 3rd Jazz
- 2007 - 4th Jazz, 7th Hip Hop
- 2006 - 4th Jazz
- 2005 - 2nd Jazz, 5th Hip Hop
- 2004 - 4th Jazz, 4th Hip Hop
- 2003 - 2nd Jazz
- 2002 - 9th Jazz
- 2001 - 6th Jazz
